March 27, 2005
Cats' Easter game trumps niece's baptism
Well, I never take anything for granted, but I do prepare well. I brought a real pretty Easter dress to Austin. And today, I'll wear it, choosing some nice-sounding church (liberal, thank you very much) from the yellow pages, because even though Dario and I lived here a short spell whilst shooting Where the Heart Is, I only went to church once and can't recall the name of it. Don't tell my Ma, OK?

I'd also appreciate it if you didn't tell my sister where I really am, because, and this is TERRIBLE, I am missing my niece's baptism to be here. Of course, if you don't tell her, she'll figure it out really soon....

Full Story @ Kentucky.com

Judd spends wisely after charity efforts
Actress Ashley Judd's tireless charity work has had a positive effect on her bank account - because she now refuses to spend frivolously.

The De-Lovely star, 36, works with Youthaid to promote HIV and AIDS prevention schemes for young people around the world, as well as Nutritionaid, which is trying to tackle America's obesity and poor eating habits.

And Judd's charitable exploits have made her a much more careful spender.

She says: "I looked at my budget from last year and I decided that I wanted to reduce it by two thirds.

"I was going to buy a cute little top this week and it was $53, and I said: 'No way!' Do you know what $53 would buy for the friends I made in Kenya and South Africa? I would rather send them the money - and I've done that - than put it on my own back."

March 19, 2005
Flu KOs trip to South Africa I didn't go to South Africa. I'm crushed. I was felled by the flu, the nasty one that has closed whole county school systems here in Tennessee, with a totally gross sinus infection on top of it to make me even more miserable.

I could have been having tea with President Nelson Mandela, hosting a dinner with him and becoming his new best friend.

Oh, well...

Full Story @ Kentucky.com

March 18, 2005
Movie News: Ashley is slated to star in an adaptation of Tracy Letts' psychodrama Bugs, which will be made by Exorcist director William Friedkin, according to Variety.

The story centres on a lonely divorcee who fears the return of her violent ex-husband and encounters a mysterious army veteran. Judd will begin work on the project once filming is complete for "Come Early Morning", in which she plays a thirty-something with a commitment phobia who inhabits the small town where she was born.

March Madness has led Ashley Judd to a new role -- guest newspaper columnist.

The 36-year-old actress -- and rabid University of Kentucky fan -- is writing a column for the Lexington Herald-Leader in Lexington, Ky., during the NCAA tournament.

Judd, who attended UK, frequently attends the school's basketball games.

"She knows the game," Mike Johnson, deputy managing editor of the Herald-Leader, told The Associated Press on Thursday. "Everybody knows or understands that she's a big Kentucky fan. She often comes to Lexington for games. It's not unusual for her to attend the NCAA tournament games."

Judd's first story appeared Thursday, while she was in South Africa visiting Nelson Mandela. (The Wildcats survived a scare Thursday afternoon from Eastern Kentucky University, winning 72-64.)

Of UK's chances of winning the tournament, Judd wrote: "I am an optimist, however, and I always believe," then listed the keys to the Wildcats' play to "take us out of the first round and on to the round of 16. By then, I will be back from praying a blessing on Mandela's noble head to watch my Cats."

If Kentucky keeps winning, the Herald-Leader hopes Judd will contribute a column each day the team plays. In place of payment, the newspaper will make a contribution to a charity of her choice.

More Stories: Nick Lachey challenges Judd to duel

March 17, 2005
What could tear Judd from Cats?
A trip to South Africa will keep her away from the 1st and 2nd rounds

By Ashley Judd/GUEST COLUMNIST

Actress Ashley Judd, UK's most famous basketball fan, will write periodic columns on the Cats for the Herald-Leader during the NCAA Tournament.

This might be tricky writing columns about our team when, in fact, I might not be able to actually watch the games this weekend. I'll be traveling to South Africa to be with Nelson Mandela, but the paper says it will work, so we'll give it a try.

Does it shock you more that I am missing tournament games, or that I am co-hosting a dinner with Madiba (that is the great Nelson Mandela's Xhosa tribal name)? You know, in 1998, in spite of shooting a movie in remote parts of Quebec, I made every single game as the Cats came back and came back some more. (And everyone thought I didn't have on underpants at the Oscars after we beat Duke in St. Pete -- shame on you, of course I did)....

Full Story @ Kentucky.com

March 16, 2005
Production Weekly indicates that Ashley Judd has signed up to star in the coming of age story, "Come Early Morning". The focus is on a woman in her 30's who is beginning to come to terms with her selfish and prickly relatives, her own self-worth and her search for a meaning!

This will be Joey Lauren Adams' directorial debut. Adams also wrote the film and shooting will take place at the end of April.

March 11, 2005
It's that time again! What time? Time for the Prism awards!!

So, just what the hell is that you ask? The Entertainment Industries Council, Inc. (EIC) annually presents the Prism Awards for outstanding efforts in the accurate depiction of drug, alcohol and tobacco use and addiction in film, television, interactive, comic books, music, and video entertainment.

"De-Lovely" is nominated in the best picture category, competing against the Academy Award winning "Ray", comic book-inspired "The Punisher" and "Walking Tall,".

Ashley is nominated for her performance in "De-Lovely" in the best film performance category along with Jamie Foxx for "Ray", John Travolta and Scarlett Johansson for "A Love Song for Bobby Long," and Christopher Walken for "Around the Bend."

The ninth annual Prism Awards will be held on Thursday, April 28.

Quick Trivia: Ashley has been nominated in this category before, can you remember which role gained her the nomination in the performance category last time around?

March 10, 2005
Ashley Judd is heading for London's West End stage to star in a new play later this year.

She is crossing the Atlantic to star in BURN THIS, a black comedy by US writer Lanford Wilson.

A spokesman says, "It's about the stormy relationship between a man and a woman.

"She's a fiery passionate Southern girl and Ashley fits the part perfectly. She's served her time on Broadway (New York) and it would be fantastic to have her in the West End."

March 8, 2005
Million Dollar Mistake?
Actress Hilary Swank has Sandra Bullock and Ashley Judd to thank for her Best Actress Oscar for Million Dollar Baby - because the role was refused by both actresses. The movie's producer Albert S. Ruddy's first choice for the part of a tragic female boxer was Bullock, who turned down the part when she was told she could not pick the director - Ruddy next approached Judd, whose salary demands would have busted the budget.

Wonder how true this is... and why is that that Sandra Bullock and Ashley are somehow always attached to the same movies?

March 5, 2005
Oookay, looks like everything is back up. I have added some pics to the gallery today (scans from Ladies' Home Journal, Star magazine, UK pics, and more pics from the Cannes festival).

March 3, 2005
As you many have noticed, the site was down for quite a while due to let's say "technical difficulties". At this time there are still some areas of the site that will be unavailable. Hopefully everything can be resolved very soon. Thanks for your concern on this issue and I appreciate your patience as I try to get things back in order ASAP!